How do I make a PDF form accessible for everyone?

Give every form field a clear label. Add a 'Tooltip' for screen readers to describe each field. Make sure the tab order is correct so users can move through fields easily. Use simple, readable fonts like Arial or Times, at least 11pt. Run the Accessibility Checker in Acrobat before sharing the form.

What is the difference between a text box and a dropdown in a PDF form?

Feature Text Box Dropdown. Purpose Allows users to type any text freely. Offers a list of choices for the user to pick one. Input Method Typing directly into the field. Clicking to open a list and selecting an option. Use Case For names, addresses, or open comments. For predefined options like states, yes/no, or categories.

Fillable Soil Metadata Needed in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

CDecide — “help me choose”Create a simple, mobile-friendly fillable form technicians can use in the field to capture soil…+

Create a simple, mobile-friendly fillable form technicians can use in the field to capture soil sample ID, GPS coordinate, depth, date/time, sampler initials, land use, and any visible contamination notes. Keep the number of fields minimal so technicians actually fill it, and include validation for GPS and sample ID format. Explain any field that might confuse a technician with one line of instruction.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open Adobe Acrobat Pro on your computer.
2
Select the Tools tab.
3
Find and select Prepare Form under Forms.
4
Choose an existing file to use as your form, or select the option to create a new one.
Best practiceIf your form is not already a PDF, convert it to PDF before starting this process.
5
Click Start to let Acrobat detect form fields automatically, or manually add fields as needed.
Best practiceLetting Acrobat auto-detect fields can save time, but always review and adjust the detected fields for accuracy.
6
Use the toolbar to add, move, or delete form fields such as text boxes, checkboxes, and drop-down lists.
7
Double-click any form field to edit its properties, such as name, tooltip, and appearance.
8
When finished, use File > Save to save your fillable PDF form.

In the appWith the API

You can quickly test your form by switching to Preview mode in the Prepare Form tool to see how users will fill it out.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

Fillable FormA document with spaces that people can type into or select options from.

TooltipA small message that appears when you point to something, helping people understand what a form field is for.ExampleHovering over the 'Submit' button reveals a tooltip saying 'Click to send your completed form'.

Accessibility CheckerA tool that checks if your document is easy for all people, including those with disabilities, to use.ExampleRunning the Accessibility Checker helped identify images missing alternative text descriptions.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

I need a fillable soil sample metadata form before tomorrow's sampling team leaves and I can't be on site to answer questions.

FAQ

about this task

Give every form field a clear label.
Add a 'Tooltip' for screen readers to describe each field.
Make sure the tab order is correct so users can move through fields easily.
Use simple, readable fonts like Arial or Times, at least 11pt.
Run the Accessibility Checker in Acrobat before sharing the form.

A 'Tooltip' is a short description for a form field. It matters because screen readers use this text to tell people with visual impairments what each field is for. This makes your form usable by more people.

No, if you use Word's own form tools, they do not export correctly to accessible PDF fields in Acrobat. It is best to start with a well-structured Word document, but then add all the form fields directly in Acrobat using its 'Prepare a Form' tool. This ensures the fields are properly set up for PDF.

You should enable 'Reader Extended PDF' so that people who use the free Adobe Reader program can save the information they type into your form. Without this, they can fill it out but cannot save their changes, which can be very frustrating for them.

Feature	Text Box	Dropdown
Purpose	Allows users to type any text freely.	Offers a list of choices for the user to pick one.
Input Method	Typing directly into the field.	Clicking to open a list and selecting an option.
Use Case	For names, addresses, or open comments.	For predefined options like states, yes/no, or categories.

Fillable Soil Metadata Needed

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Video

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